New six-screen cinema for Bishop Auckland wins council backing

IT’S cameras roll for a new six-screen cinema for south Durham, after councillors overruled the fears of their planning officials to give the £50m venture the thumbs up.

Durham County Council officers argued the project to build a cinema, shops, restaurants and other leisure facilities at Bishop Auckland Retail Park, in St Helen’s, should be thrown out because it would hit town centre trade.

But after an hour-long debate including several heartfelt speeches worthy of a Hollywood tearjerker, the council’s county planning committee voted unanimously in favour.

The vote means Bishop Auckland is a huge step closer to having its own cinema for the first time in 30 years and the project will now go before the Secretary of State.

Councillor Charlie Kay told today’s (Tuesday, April 1) County Hall debate: “This is a once in a generation opportunity to do something really big and really positive, not just for Bishop Auckland but for the whole of south Durham.”

Knowing a Facebook group supporting the cinema has attracted 5,000 members and more than 1,000 people have signed an online petition, he begged: “Don’t let the people down. Please approve this proposal.”

Promoted stories

If it wasn’t going to be built at St Helen’s, it wouldn’t be built at all, he argued.

Coun Christine Wilson said the outcry at the officers’ recommendation since its publication last week had been “overwhelming”.

County Durham, an area of 600sq miles, has just two cinemas and Craig Kipling, representing the developers, said there had been interest from complex providers, plus food chains.

It is estimated the scheme could create around 300 jobs.

However, some struck a more cautious note, with Coun Mike Dixon saying the “worm of a cinema has been dangled twice before”, with no such development forthcoming.

A cinema was part of the original retail park scheme, approved in 2008, which included a Sainsbury’s superstore and Bishop Auckland FC’s Heritage Park ground.

Share article

Hence, a condition was agreed that no more than 25 per cent of the retail development should be allowed without progress on the cinema element.

It was also agreed that £294,000 of the £300,000 payable by the developers as part of the deal would be spent on advisers to support local businesses, with the remaining £6,000 going to off-site ecological works.

Promoted Stories

Comments (19)

Common sense seemingly prevails... but I'm afraid I won't believe it until I actually see it. People have been using the cinema as a cover to push other developments through too many times and it's still yet to materialise. PLEASE give us a cinema. I'm tired of having to travel so far and spend so much money on petrol to see a film.

Common sense seemingly prevails... but I'm afraid I won't believe it until I actually see it. People have been using the cinema as a cover to push other developments through too many times and it's still yet to materialise. PLEASE give us a cinema. I'm tired of having to travel so far and spend so much money on petrol to see a film.foss

Common sense seemingly prevails... but I'm afraid I won't believe it until I actually see it. People have been using the cinema as a cover to push other developments through too many times and it's still yet to materialise. PLEASE give us a cinema. I'm tired of having to travel so far and spend so much money on petrol to see a film.

Score: 23

Voice-of-reality says...9:59pm Tue 1 Apr 14

I am delighted that the opinions that I have voiced over a number of years have finally prevailed in the council chamber. This is excellent news for the wider Bishop Auckland Urban Area. Well done DCC, and more importantly, well done everyone who signed the petition and put democratic pressure on their representatives. Alas I am away at the moment - can anyone tell me how Zair voted? with regards to how individual vote - did the needs and good of the town win - or did those of an individual cafe? I will be more than happy to concede that I have misjudged the man (on this occassion) if my 'gut instinct' as to his vote is wrong.

I am delighted that the opinions that I have voiced over a number of years have finally prevailed in the council chamber. This is excellent news for the wider Bishop Auckland Urban Area. Well done DCC, and more importantly, well done everyone who signed the petition and put democratic pressure on their representatives. Alas I am away at the moment - can anyone tell me how Zair voted? with regards to how individual vote - did the needs and good of the town win - or did those of an individual cafe? I will be more than happy to concede that I have misjudged the man (on this occassion) if my 'gut instinct' as to his vote is wrong.Voice-of-reality

I am delighted that the opinions that I have voiced over a number of years have finally prevailed in the council chamber. This is excellent news for the wider Bishop Auckland Urban Area. Well done DCC, and more importantly, well done everyone who signed the petition and put democratic pressure on their representatives. Alas I am away at the moment - can anyone tell me how Zair voted? with regards to how individual vote - did the needs and good of the town win - or did those of an individual cafe? I will be more than happy to concede that I have misjudged the man (on this occassion) if my 'gut instinct' as to his vote is wrong.

Score: 10

Willy_Wonka says...10:14pm Tue 1 Apr 14

Good news for St Helens, Tindale and the public but another nail in the coffin of Bishop Auckland High Street and the remaining struggling shops. Can the council please comment on what help and support they will offer the high street shops? Or are they just going to continue putting people off coming into the town by sending their traffic wardens out like vultures ticketing the very few people who now venture into the high street!! Bishop Auckland high street is dying and it's so sad to see!!

Good news for St Helens, Tindale and the public but another nail in the coffin of Bishop Auckland High Street and the remaining struggling shops. Can the council please comment on what help and support they will offer the high street shops? Or are they just going to continue putting people off coming into the town by sending their traffic wardens out like vultures ticketing the very few people who now venture into the high street!! Bishop Auckland high street is dying and it's so sad to see!!Willy_Wonka

Good news for St Helens, Tindale and the public but another nail in the coffin of Bishop Auckland High Street and the remaining struggling shops. Can the council please comment on what help and support they will offer the high street shops? Or are they just going to continue putting people off coming into the town by sending their traffic wardens out like vultures ticketing the very few people who now venture into the high street!! Bishop Auckland high street is dying and it's so sad to see!!

Score: 13

Voice-of-reality says...10:44pm Tue 1 Apr 14

Willy, you miss the point entirely. The needs of the town need to be seen in a wider geographic spehere. The 'single street in the town centre with shops' is but part of the urban area of bishop which encompasses St Helens, West, and Tindale. That street has ceased to be a viable place for shops - as a consequence the geo-economic sphere of retail has moved (to the net and to the area around Sainsburys), the latter now represents the 'bricks and mortar' retail centre of the town. Centres of trade and indeed housing, move over time - where once people lived in the centre they then moved into the suburbs and so on. Retail is now following this historic trend and the 'high street' needs to adapt to a new 'post retail' reality - in the same way that it adapted to a post-housing reality in years gone by. Thus, the council should give no support to the high street shops - there is no council need or legislative resposnibility or need to do so. The council should, let the high street evolve as the people, the consumers, have dictated. rather than seeing it as somethign sad - you should instead see it as being in a transition into a bright new era.

Willy, you miss the point entirely. The needs of the town need to be seen in a wider geographic spehere. The 'single street in the town centre with shops' is but part of the urban area of bishop which encompasses St Helens, West, and Tindale. That street has ceased to be a viable place for shops - as a consequence the geo-economic sphere of retail has moved (to the net and to the area around Sainsburys), the latter now represents the 'bricks and mortar' retail centre of the town. Centres of trade and indeed housing, move over time - where once people lived in the centre they then moved into the suburbs and so on. Retail is now following this historic trend and the 'high street' needs to adapt to a new 'post retail' reality - in the same way that it adapted to a post-housing reality in years gone by. Thus, the council should give no support to the high street shops - there is no council need or legislative resposnibility or need to do so. The council should, let the high street evolve as the people, the consumers, have dictated. rather than seeing it as somethign sad - you should instead see it as being in a transition into a bright new era.Voice-of-reality

Willy, you miss the point entirely. The needs of the town need to be seen in a wider geographic spehere. The 'single street in the town centre with shops' is but part of the urban area of bishop which encompasses St Helens, West, and Tindale. That street has ceased to be a viable place for shops - as a consequence the geo-economic sphere of retail has moved (to the net and to the area around Sainsburys), the latter now represents the 'bricks and mortar' retail centre of the town. Centres of trade and indeed housing, move over time - where once people lived in the centre they then moved into the suburbs and so on. Retail is now following this historic trend and the 'high street' needs to adapt to a new 'post retail' reality - in the same way that it adapted to a post-housing reality in years gone by. Thus, the council should give no support to the high street shops - there is no council need or legislative resposnibility or need to do so. The council should, let the high street evolve as the people, the consumers, have dictated. rather than seeing it as somethign sad - you should instead see it as being in a transition into a bright new era.

Score: 19

cushybutterfield says...10:59pm Tue 1 Apr 14

Shocking public waste of working Taxpayers money, lets have a new Swimming Pool and/or intelligent Library for the kids instead of' Mega brainwashed violen't 'kill everybody and blow up' daft 'gun crazed pathetic American brainwashed Film's and Computer Games.. Get your kids out in the Countryside and Seaside for a change and real fresh air instead of pathetic churched out lazy 'stay at Goggle TV# Home Hollywood rubbish.

Shocking public waste of working Taxpayers money, lets have a new Swimming Pool and/or intelligent Library for the kids instead of' Mega brainwashed violen't 'kill everybody and blow up' daft 'gun crazed pathetic American brainwashed Film's and Computer Games.. Get your kids out in the Countryside and Seaside for a change and real fresh air instead of pathetic churched out lazy 'stay at Goggle TV# Home Hollywood rubbish.cushybutterfield

Shocking public waste of working Taxpayers money, lets have a new Swimming Pool and/or intelligent Library for the kids instead of' Mega brainwashed violen't 'kill everybody and blow up' daft 'gun crazed pathetic American brainwashed Film's and Computer Games.. Get your kids out in the Countryside and Seaside for a change and real fresh air instead of pathetic churched out lazy 'stay at Goggle TV# Home Hollywood rubbish.

Score: -48

cushybutterfield says...11:10pm Tue 1 Apr 14

Enlist your Kids in the 'Scout and/or Guide' movement and experience real life, instead of 'artificial Hollywood churched out violent nonsense'. Failing that enlist them in a positive local environmental project, give them a break away from negative Media Rubbish.

Enlist your Kids in the 'Scout and/or Guide' movement and experience real life, instead of 'artificial Hollywood churched out violent nonsense'. Failing that enlist them in a positive local environmental project, give them a break away from negative Media Rubbish.cushybutterfield

Enlist your Kids in the 'Scout and/or Guide' movement and experience real life, instead of 'artificial Hollywood churched out violent nonsense'. Failing that enlist them in a positive local environmental project, give them a break away from negative Media Rubbish.

Score: -36

John Justice says...11:19pm Tue 1 Apr 14

I like the reasoned response of Voice-of -reality but I have to disagree with some of his comments. High streets have been historically linked to the vitality of a town and its population. Net local income via the local economy is essential to ensure town centers develop the types of shops and services the local population require. This income is sadly lacking in Bishop Auckland hence the decline over the decades. The town center is unique in that there is an abundance of housing linked closely with and to the town within immediate walking distance of all shops. The town center does not have the retail space to welcome a Sainsburies or a Tesco along with other major retailers. Such business recognise this but also recognise the development costs (low) of out of town retail parks. Yes the area needs a cinema and it will be a welcome addition but it has to be acknowledged that there will be no benefit to the town center financially as customers will have no reason to then visit the town after seeing a film. The council does in fact have a direct responsibility to the high street in terms of rents, development and services to the local community. At present the council seems to see that income is derived from parking fines as they openly admitted when they costed the scheme to employ 5 traffic wardens who, after all costs such as wages were taken into account a profit of some £10,000 per year could be achieved from the various towns in which they were employed. Yes you are correct in describing the fact that the economic sphere has moved outwards but only because of the fact that little investment and support has been forthcoming from the council for the development of the town while supporting out of town developments such as St Helens. Those that say the town will benefit are lacking credibility. There are other reasons for such decline such as internet shopping but local authorities every where are guilty of killing off town centers as the hub of a vibrant close knit community.

I like the reasoned response of Voice-of -reality but I have to disagree with some of his comments. High streets have been historically linked to the vitality of a town and its population. Net local income via the local economy is essential to ensure town centers develop the types of shops and services the local population require. This income is sadly lacking in Bishop Auckland hence the decline over the decades. The town center is unique in that there is an abundance of housing linked closely with and to the town within immediate walking distance of all shops. The town center does not have the retail space to welcome a Sainsburies or a Tesco along with other major retailers. Such business recognise this but also recognise the development costs (low) of out of town retail parks. Yes the area needs a cinema and it will be a welcome addition but it has to be acknowledged that there will be no benefit to the town center financially as customers will have no reason to then visit the town after seeing a film. The council does in fact have a direct responsibility to the high street in terms of rents, development and services to the local community. At present the council seems to see that income is derived from parking fines as they openly admitted when they costed the scheme to employ 5 traffic wardens who, after all costs such as wages were taken into account a profit of some £10,000 per year could be achieved from the various towns in which they were employed. Yes you are correct in describing the fact that the economic sphere has moved outwards but only because of the fact that little investment and support has been forthcoming from the council for the development of the town while supporting out of town developments such as St Helens. Those that say the town will benefit are lacking credibility. There are other reasons for such decline such as internet shopping but local authorities every where are guilty of killing off town centers as the hub of a vibrant close knit community.John Justice

I like the reasoned response of Voice-of -reality but I have to disagree with some of his comments. High streets have been historically linked to the vitality of a town and its population. Net local income via the local economy is essential to ensure town centers develop the types of shops and services the local population require. This income is sadly lacking in Bishop Auckland hence the decline over the decades. The town center is unique in that there is an abundance of housing linked closely with and to the town within immediate walking distance of all shops. The town center does not have the retail space to welcome a Sainsburies or a Tesco along with other major retailers. Such business recognise this but also recognise the development costs (low) of out of town retail parks. Yes the area needs a cinema and it will be a welcome addition but it has to be acknowledged that there will be no benefit to the town center financially as customers will have no reason to then visit the town after seeing a film. The council does in fact have a direct responsibility to the high street in terms of rents, development and services to the local community. At present the council seems to see that income is derived from parking fines as they openly admitted when they costed the scheme to employ 5 traffic wardens who, after all costs such as wages were taken into account a profit of some £10,000 per year could be achieved from the various towns in which they were employed. Yes you are correct in describing the fact that the economic sphere has moved outwards but only because of the fact that little investment and support has been forthcoming from the council for the development of the town while supporting out of town developments such as St Helens. Those that say the town will benefit are lacking credibility. There are other reasons for such decline such as internet shopping but local authorities every where are guilty of killing off town centers as the hub of a vibrant close knit community.

Score: 7

Willy_Wonka says...11:39pm Tue 1 Apr 14

Voice-Of-Reality...t ry telling that to the remaining stores struggling to survive, try telling that to the owners who are loosing their livelihood as they are forced to close AND try telling that to the many many people who have lost their jobs due to closure of shops in the "redundant" High Street because of the new out of town projects. The high street would of evolved if the council had spent their money elsewhere i.e lowering the rates on already empty premises, they are clueless. I have worked in the high street a long time, I have witnessed it's demise, so I speak from experience and i hear the opinions of a lot of local people who feel the same way.

Voice-Of-Reality...t
ry telling that to the remaining stores struggling to survive, try telling that to the owners who are loosing their livelihood as they are forced to close AND try telling that to the many many people who have lost their jobs due to closure of shops in the "redundant" High Street because of the new out of town projects.
The high street would of evolved if the council had spent their money elsewhere i.e lowering the rates on already empty premises, they are clueless. I have worked in the high street a long time, I have witnessed it's demise, so I speak from experience and i hear the opinions of a lot of local people who feel the same way.Willy_Wonka

Voice-Of-Reality...t ry telling that to the remaining stores struggling to survive, try telling that to the owners who are loosing their livelihood as they are forced to close AND try telling that to the many many people who have lost their jobs due to closure of shops in the "redundant" High Street because of the new out of town projects. The high street would of evolved if the council had spent their money elsewhere i.e lowering the rates on already empty premises, they are clueless. I have worked in the high street a long time, I have witnessed it's demise, so I speak from experience and i hear the opinions of a lot of local people who feel the same way.

Score: -5

Better bishop says...6:25am Wed 2 Apr 14

Bishop high street was in demise long before st Helen shopping centre came along. Key factors in it's demise were, when the council officers moved to crook in 1974 , doggarts closing down when fine fare came to town , the new morrisons, asda, Internet shopping the list goes on and on. We are fortunate to have st Helen otherwise it could have gone to aycliffe, vor is right, more people live nearer to st Helen than they do to bishop auckland town centre. DCC has spent millions in the market place and can't reduce business rates other wise it would have to apply to all towns in the county, why not reduce business rates for factories too as they face stiff competition no one banged in the door when work was going to low cost countries, competition is good. Why don't the traders get together and employ an events manager, bet this would only cost 20 quid each if they all chipped in.

Bishop high street was in demise long before st Helen shopping centre came along. Key factors in it's demise were, when the council officers moved to crook in 1974 , doggarts closing down when fine fare came to town , the new morrisons, asda, Internet shopping the list goes on and on. We are fortunate to have st Helen otherwise it could have gone to aycliffe, vor is right, more people live nearer to st Helen than they do to bishop auckland town centre. DCC has spent millions in the market place and can't reduce business rates other wise it would have to apply to all towns in the county, why not reduce business rates for factories too as they face stiff competition no one banged in the door when work was going to low cost countries, competition is good. Why don't the traders get together and employ an events manager, bet this would only cost 20 quid each if they all chipped in.Better bishop

Bishop high street was in demise long before st Helen shopping centre came along. Key factors in it's demise were, when the council officers moved to crook in 1974 , doggarts closing down when fine fare came to town , the new morrisons, asda, Internet shopping the list goes on and on. We are fortunate to have st Helen otherwise it could have gone to aycliffe, vor is right, more people live nearer to st Helen than they do to bishop auckland town centre. DCC has spent millions in the market place and can't reduce business rates other wise it would have to apply to all towns in the county, why not reduce business rates for factories too as they face stiff competition no one banged in the door when work was going to low cost countries, competition is good. Why don't the traders get together and employ an events manager, bet this would only cost 20 quid each if they all chipped in.

Score: 12

Ally F says...9:08am Wed 2 Apr 14

Rumour has it the new St. Helens multicinema complex with include a new food and drink establishment called 'Zair's'. They will be selling a locally brewed real ale; 'Zair's Bitter'

Rumour has it the new St. Helens multicinema complex with include a new food and drink establishment called 'Zair's'. They will be selling a locally brewed real ale; 'Zair's Bitter'Ally F

Rumour has it the new St. Helens multicinema complex with include a new food and drink establishment called 'Zair's'. They will be selling a locally brewed real ale; 'Zair's Bitter'

Score: 18

Little Buddha says...9:38am Wed 2 Apr 14

Bishop has a victim mentality and that, more than anything else, is dragging the town centre down. It feels that everyone's out to destroy what's left of a beautiful NE town but isn't prepared to make the changes necessary to adapt and prosper. Yes there is more focus on out of town outlets and that's a growing trend across the country, and Bishop needs to accept that fact. However, Bishop needs to do more to draw people into the town centre and the only way to do that is by changing its focus onto bespoke and original retailers. It needs to start reinventing itself as a destination town that includes areas like St Helens. DCC also need to look at the reasons why people don't shop in the High Street, and for me it's more than just the lack of quality shops. There are issues like parking, appearance and the general feeling of the area: it doesn't appeal to me. You could have Harrods in Bishop but unless something is done about the kerb-appeal of the area then I still wouldn't shop there. Bishop isn't that bad, it just needs some TLC and some investment to help it adapt to the times we live in.

Bishop has a victim mentality and that, more than anything else, is dragging the town centre down. It feels that everyone's out to destroy what's left of a beautiful NE town but isn't prepared to make the changes necessary to adapt and prosper.
Yes there is more focus on out of town outlets and that's a growing trend across the country, and Bishop needs to accept that fact. However, Bishop needs to do more to draw people into the town centre and the only way to do that is by changing its focus onto bespoke and original retailers. It needs to start reinventing itself as a destination town that includes areas like St Helens.
DCC also need to look at the reasons why people don't shop in the High Street, and for me it's more than just the lack of quality shops. There are issues like parking, appearance and the general feeling of the area: it doesn't appeal to me. You could have Harrods in Bishop but unless something is done about the kerb-appeal of the area then I still wouldn't shop there.
Bishop isn't that bad, it just needs some TLC and some investment to help it adapt to the times we live in.Little Buddha

Bishop has a victim mentality and that, more than anything else, is dragging the town centre down. It feels that everyone's out to destroy what's left of a beautiful NE town but isn't prepared to make the changes necessary to adapt and prosper. Yes there is more focus on out of town outlets and that's a growing trend across the country, and Bishop needs to accept that fact. However, Bishop needs to do more to draw people into the town centre and the only way to do that is by changing its focus onto bespoke and original retailers. It needs to start reinventing itself as a destination town that includes areas like St Helens. DCC also need to look at the reasons why people don't shop in the High Street, and for me it's more than just the lack of quality shops. There are issues like parking, appearance and the general feeling of the area: it doesn't appeal to me. You could have Harrods in Bishop but unless something is done about the kerb-appeal of the area then I still wouldn't shop there. Bishop isn't that bad, it just needs some TLC and some investment to help it adapt to the times we live in.

Score: 12

williewasp says...9:46am Wed 2 Apr 14

As an expat living in London (lack of coal mines and need to get a job) I regularly visit to get my accent topped I am saddened to see the demise of of Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor. One of my old friends has just sold a business in the high street as all of the recent developments have had a damaging effect on the town center not directly affecting him but the writing was on the wall so given the opportunity he jumped. The Council have a "Hobsons Choice" take the investment in St Helens or loose out All of the declining market towns i visit through out the Country outside of London have the same problem driving cars out of city/town centers with draconian parking restrictions no parking no custom simple. Sadly the Town center will die as retail habits change no private money will be attracted in and the Council due to government policy have little money to bribe companies to set up shop Bishop Auckland is possibly 20 years a head of other comparable towns on the decline but its coming to a town center near you as we'ere all in this together.

As an expat living in London (lack of coal mines and need to get a job)
I regularly visit to get my accent topped I am saddened to see the demise of of Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor.
One of my old friends has just sold a business in the high street as all of the recent developments have had a damaging effect on the town center not directly affecting him but the writing was on the wall so given the opportunity he jumped.
The Council have a "Hobsons Choice" take the investment in St Helens or loose out All of the declining market towns i visit through out the Country outside of London have the same problem driving cars out of city/town centers with draconian parking restrictions no parking no custom simple.
Sadly the Town center will die as retail habits change no private money will be attracted in and the Council due to government policy have little money to bribe companies to set up shop Bishop Auckland is possibly 20 years a head of other comparable towns on the decline but its coming to a town center near you as we'ere all in this together.williewasp

As an expat living in London (lack of coal mines and need to get a job) I regularly visit to get my accent topped I am saddened to see the demise of of Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor. One of my old friends has just sold a business in the high street as all of the recent developments have had a damaging effect on the town center not directly affecting him but the writing was on the wall so given the opportunity he jumped. The Council have a "Hobsons Choice" take the investment in St Helens or loose out All of the declining market towns i visit through out the Country outside of London have the same problem driving cars out of city/town centers with draconian parking restrictions no parking no custom simple. Sadly the Town center will die as retail habits change no private money will be attracted in and the Council due to government policy have little money to bribe companies to set up shop Bishop Auckland is possibly 20 years a head of other comparable towns on the decline but its coming to a town center near you as we'ere all in this together.

Score: 3

Grizzlygrum says...12:45pm Wed 2 Apr 14

I really don't know why it is such amazing news, we live in one of the areas that has one of the highest percentage of obese people in the country, similar to rundown areas in Glasgow and we are applauding the fact that they are going to create a place where people can sit on their arses and munch there way through expensive high sugar/ fat food. This is to go along with KFC, Macdonalds , Costa, Subway, Starbucks, Dominoes etc none of whom are particularly well known for their healthy food ! Don't get me wrong I do enjoy some of this now and again but in moderation. Why is everybody been so hard on Cushy Butterfield for daring to suggest that a facility that addressed the lack of exercise would be better value? Why not build it in Bishop itself and draw people back there? ( darlington currently have a town centre plan for a cinema) Have some bloody vision for gods sake And the traffic system down there must have been drawn up by the local primary school , don't even get me started This is not Bish it's st Helens

I really don't know why it is such amazing news, we live in one of the areas that has one of the highest percentage of obese people in the country, similar to rundown areas in Glasgow and we are applauding the fact that they are going to create a place where people can sit on their arses and munch there way through expensive high sugar/ fat food. This is to go along with KFC, Macdonalds , Costa, Subway, Starbucks, Dominoes etc none of whom are particularly well known for their healthy food ! Don't get me wrong I do enjoy some of this now and again but in moderation. Why is everybody been so hard on Cushy Butterfield for daring to suggest that a facility that addressed the lack of exercise would be better value?
Why not build it in Bishop itself and draw people back there? ( darlington currently have a town centre plan for a cinema)
Have some bloody vision for gods sake
And the traffic system down there must have been drawn up by the local primary school , don't even get me started
This is not Bish it's st HelensGrizzlygrum

I really don't know why it is such amazing news, we live in one of the areas that has one of the highest percentage of obese people in the country, similar to rundown areas in Glasgow and we are applauding the fact that they are going to create a place where people can sit on their arses and munch there way through expensive high sugar/ fat food. This is to go along with KFC, Macdonalds , Costa, Subway, Starbucks, Dominoes etc none of whom are particularly well known for their healthy food ! Don't get me wrong I do enjoy some of this now and again but in moderation. Why is everybody been so hard on Cushy Butterfield for daring to suggest that a facility that addressed the lack of exercise would be better value? Why not build it in Bishop itself and draw people back there? ( darlington currently have a town centre plan for a cinema) Have some bloody vision for gods sake And the traffic system down there must have been drawn up by the local primary school , don't even get me started This is not Bish it's st Helens

Score: -10

fleon says...1:07pm Wed 2 Apr 14

I've got to agree with grizzlygum on the nightmare traffic issues at St Helens. Whoever designed the roundabouts and junctions should be locked away where they can't cause any more damage.

I've got to agree with grizzlygum on the nightmare traffic issues at St Helens. Whoever designed the roundabouts and junctions should be locked away where they can't cause any more damage.fleon

I've got to agree with grizzlygum on the nightmare traffic issues at St Helens. Whoever designed the roundabouts and junctions should be locked away where they can't cause any more damage.

Score: 8

kristal27 says...1:28pm Wed 2 Apr 14

cushybutterfield wrote…

Enlist your Kids in the 'Scout and/or Guide' movement and experience real life, instead of 'artificial Hollywood churched out violent nonsense'. Failing that enlist them in a positive local environmental project, give them a break away from negative Media Rubbish.

Is your world REALLY that black and white or are you just polishing your wooden spoon? One Saturday we may go to the Forest for a walk, or to the beach if its nice - and on a rainy Sunday take the kids all the way to Teesside park to see a film -whats wrong with that? Now we will be able to literally go down the road to a decent cinema that is providing local jobs and bringing money into a deprived area. Do you honestly think the lack of a cinema in St. Helens would induce parents to enlist their little darlings in the scouts -get real!

[quote][p][bold]cushybutterfield[/bold] wrote:
Enlist your Kids in the 'Scout and/or Guide' movement and experience real life, instead of 'artificial Hollywood churched out violent nonsense'. Failing that enlist them in a positive local environmental project, give them a break away from negative Media Rubbish.[/p][/quote]Is your world REALLY that black and white or are you just polishing your wooden spoon? One Saturday we may go to the Forest for a walk, or to the beach if its nice - and on a rainy Sunday take the kids all the way to Teesside park to see a film -whats wrong with that? Now we will be able to literally go down the road to a decent cinema that is providing local jobs and bringing money into a deprived area. Do you honestly think the lack of a cinema in St. Helens would induce parents to enlist their little darlings in the scouts -get real!kristal27

cushybutterfield wrote…

Enlist your Kids in the 'Scout and/or Guide' movement and experience real life, instead of 'artificial Hollywood churched out violent nonsense'. Failing that enlist them in a positive local environmental project, give them a break away from negative Media Rubbish.

Is your world REALLY that black and white or are you just polishing your wooden spoon? One Saturday we may go to the Forest for a walk, or to the beach if its nice - and on a rainy Sunday take the kids all the way to Teesside park to see a film -whats wrong with that? Now we will be able to literally go down the road to a decent cinema that is providing local jobs and bringing money into a deprived area. Do you honestly think the lack of a cinema in St. Helens would induce parents to enlist their little darlings in the scouts -get real!

Score: 13

theWorkerScum says...3:14pm Wed 2 Apr 14

Willy_Wonka wrote…

Good news for St Helens, Tindale and the public but another nail in the coffin of Bishop Auckland High Street and the remaining struggling shops. Can the council please comment on what help and support they will offer the high street shops? Or are they just going to continue putting people off coming into the town by sending their traffic wardens out like vultures ticketing the very few people who now venture into the high street!! Bishop Auckland high street is dying and it's so sad to see!!

The council killed the high street a long time ago pumping money into the market place and bondgate rather than where it was needed. Parking charges for town of this size was ludicrous. Charity shops and pound shops moved it on the new clientel. The rest is history...

[quote][p][bold]Willy_Wonka[/bold] wrote:
Good news for St Helens, Tindale and the public but another nail in the coffin of Bishop Auckland High Street and the remaining struggling shops. Can the council please comment on what help and support they will offer the high street shops? Or are they just going to continue putting people off coming into the town by sending their traffic wardens out like vultures ticketing the very few people who now venture into the high street!! Bishop Auckland high street is dying and it's so sad to see!![/p][/quote]The council killed the high street a long time ago pumping money into the market place and bondgate rather than where it was needed. Parking charges for town of this size was ludicrous. Charity shops and pound shops moved it on the new clientel. The rest is history...theWorkerScum

Willy_Wonka wrote…

Good news for St Helens, Tindale and the public but another nail in the coffin of Bishop Auckland High Street and the remaining struggling shops. Can the council please comment on what help and support they will offer the high street shops? Or are they just going to continue putting people off coming into the town by sending their traffic wardens out like vultures ticketing the very few people who now venture into the high street!! Bishop Auckland high street is dying and it's so sad to see!!

The council killed the high street a long time ago pumping money into the market place and bondgate rather than where it was needed. Parking charges for town of this size was ludicrous. Charity shops and pound shops moved it on the new clientel. The rest is history...

Score: 7

pilchrat says...8:49pm Wed 2 Apr 14

All I can say about Bishop is that the retailers there need to look at what attracts people to other town centres like, say, Northallerton, Durham, Harrogate. Answer: Things like a decent market, small local shops, decent looking shopfronts and "kerb appeal" as another poster above mentioned. Not to say the town needs repaving yet AGAIN. But look at the empty shops; they should have new windows and doors, have the glue from "Circus" posters polished off, some insides of closed shops have doormat fulls of unopened post ... Can the town team perhaps get some of those "Fake shop interior" window stickers that some towns put in the windows and doors to give a clearly fake, but much tidier look to empty shops. The work that was done on Bondgate to make all the shop fronts nice and wooden and posh ... could that be done down the street? Again, look at shops in Durham and other nice towns; they actually get a lick of paint and some new signage now and again. That said, I wish bloody Brantano would replace their missing sign at St Helens, looks a right mess ...

All I can say about Bishop is that the retailers there need to look at what attracts people to other town centres like, say, Northallerton, Durham, Harrogate.
Answer: Things like a decent market, small local shops, decent looking shopfronts and "kerb appeal" as another poster above mentioned. Not to say the town needs repaving yet AGAIN. But look at the empty shops; they should have new windows and doors, have the glue from "Circus" posters polished off, some insides of closed shops have doormat fulls of unopened post ...
Can the town team perhaps get some of those "Fake shop interior" window stickers that some towns put in the windows and doors to give a clearly fake, but much tidier look to empty shops.
The work that was done on Bondgate to make all the shop fronts nice and wooden and posh ... could that be done down the street? Again, look at shops in Durham and other nice towns; they actually get a lick of paint and some new signage now and again.
That said, I wish bloody Brantano would replace their missing sign at St Helens, looks a right mess ...pilchrat

All I can say about Bishop is that the retailers there need to look at what attracts people to other town centres like, say, Northallerton, Durham, Harrogate. Answer: Things like a decent market, small local shops, decent looking shopfronts and "kerb appeal" as another poster above mentioned. Not to say the town needs repaving yet AGAIN. But look at the empty shops; they should have new windows and doors, have the glue from "Circus" posters polished off, some insides of closed shops have doormat fulls of unopened post ... Can the town team perhaps get some of those "Fake shop interior" window stickers that some towns put in the windows and doors to give a clearly fake, but much tidier look to empty shops. The work that was done on Bondgate to make all the shop fronts nice and wooden and posh ... could that be done down the street? Again, look at shops in Durham and other nice towns; they actually get a lick of paint and some new signage now and again. That said, I wish bloody Brantano would replace their missing sign at St Helens, looks a right mess ...

Score: 3

Willy_Wonka says...12:21am Thu 3 Apr 14

The work was done on Bondgate and the market place as their is an "invested interest" in Bondgate. The council are not interested in the High Street. Some of the shops have stood empty for that long that their owners probably cannot afford the maintenance. Give it another year and Bishop Auckland High Street will be exactly like Spennymoor high street, borded up. The quality of the shops has got nothing to do with the current retailers. The council invested all that money on the market place to attract visitors yet there are no decent shops left for folks to visit! From 3pm the street is empty and from 4pm anybody who dare park in the street gets a parking ticket, yet what is there to justify the car parking charges? Ridiculous

The work was done on Bondgate and the market place as their is an "invested interest" in Bondgate. The council are not interested in the High Street.
Some of the shops have stood empty for that long that their owners probably cannot afford the maintenance.
Give it another year and Bishop Auckland High Street will be exactly like Spennymoor high street, borded up. The quality of the shops has got nothing to do with the current retailers.
The council invested all that money on the market place to attract visitors yet there are no decent shops left for folks to visit! From 3pm the street is empty and from 4pm anybody who dare park in the street gets a parking ticket, yet what is there to justify the car parking charges? RidiculousWilly_Wonka

The work was done on Bondgate and the market place as their is an "invested interest" in Bondgate. The council are not interested in the High Street. Some of the shops have stood empty for that long that their owners probably cannot afford the maintenance. Give it another year and Bishop Auckland High Street will be exactly like Spennymoor high street, borded up. The quality of the shops has got nothing to do with the current retailers. The council invested all that money on the market place to attract visitors yet there are no decent shops left for folks to visit! From 3pm the street is empty and from 4pm anybody who dare park in the street gets a parking ticket, yet what is there to justify the car parking charges? Ridiculous

Score: 2

locallad26 says...1:19pm Fri 4 Apr 14

Bishop killed itself off. I grew up and remember a time when there were plenty of decent and recognisable shops. The town centre was well maintained and always busy. By forcing large parking costs (you can't even buy an hour two instead having to pay for the whole day) and allowing cheap scruffy shops to take up residence, Bishop signed it's own death warrant. A cinema is gladly welcome. It's not just for the kids so I think when people complain about kids not getting enough exercise need to take a look and realise it's not always about families. A new area with decent places to eat, entertainment and shops that are easily recognisable is always going to help. They employ local people making it more economically viable. Almost all of the shops in Bishop highstreet are scruffy and don't appeal. There are way too many bookies, takeaways and pound shops located in one highstreet. Independent shops barely bother to make the inside look anything but a hastily rushed job. Even subway can't put a decent shop exterior on it. W H Smiths looks like it's about to fall down (plus it's dramatically overpriced). The landlords will rent out to anyone who wants their premises (which is fair). There's clearly no effort to make the place look anything but desolate. I know money has been spent on the market place and it is definitely an improvement. If people want a highstreet to succeed then they need to use it. Personally, I'm glad Bishop highstreet is dwindling. Maybe they'll take a look at why and make an effort to change. The place could easily be filled with local market style shops (butchers, fruit and veg shops) along with some half decent places to eat. As voice of reality says, they should evolve to survive. Grants to allow people to improve shop frontage. A reduction in bookies and takeaways. No more pound shops (how many does one place need?). Stop kids from hanging around on a night causing problems. Improve the bus station so it doesn't look like a blot on the landscape and finally, start actively trying to entice people back by providing a decent, quality experience.

Bishop killed itself off. I grew up and remember a time when there were plenty of decent and recognisable shops. The town centre was well maintained and always busy.
By forcing large parking costs (you can't even buy an hour two instead having to pay for the whole day) and allowing cheap scruffy shops to take up residence, Bishop signed it's own death warrant.
A cinema is gladly welcome. It's not just for the kids so I think when people complain about kids not getting enough exercise need to take a look and realise it's not always about families.
A new area with decent places to eat, entertainment and shops that are easily recognisable is always going to help. They employ local people making it more economically viable.
Almost all of the shops in Bishop highstreet are scruffy and don't appeal. There are way too many bookies, takeaways and pound shops located in one highstreet. Independent shops barely bother to make the inside look anything but a hastily rushed job. Even subway can't put a decent shop exterior on it. W H Smiths looks like it's about to fall down (plus it's dramatically overpriced). The landlords will rent out to anyone who wants their premises (which is fair). There's clearly no effort to make the place look anything but desolate.
I know money has been spent on the market place and it is definitely an improvement. If people want a highstreet to succeed then they need to use it.
Personally, I'm glad Bishop highstreet is dwindling. Maybe they'll take a look at why and make an effort to change. The place could easily be filled with local market style shops (butchers, fruit and veg shops) along with some half decent places to eat.
As voice of reality says, they should evolve to survive. Grants to allow people to improve shop frontage. A reduction in bookies and takeaways.
No more pound shops (how many does one place need?).
Stop kids from hanging around on a night causing problems. Improve the bus station so it doesn't look like a blot on the landscape and finally, start actively trying to entice people back by providing a decent, quality experience.locallad26

Bishop killed itself off. I grew up and remember a time when there were plenty of decent and recognisable shops. The town centre was well maintained and always busy. By forcing large parking costs (you can't even buy an hour two instead having to pay for the whole day) and allowing cheap scruffy shops to take up residence, Bishop signed it's own death warrant. A cinema is gladly welcome. It's not just for the kids so I think when people complain about kids not getting enough exercise need to take a look and realise it's not always about families. A new area with decent places to eat, entertainment and shops that are easily recognisable is always going to help. They employ local people making it more economically viable. Almost all of the shops in Bishop highstreet are scruffy and don't appeal. There are way too many bookies, takeaways and pound shops located in one highstreet. Independent shops barely bother to make the inside look anything but a hastily rushed job. Even subway can't put a decent shop exterior on it. W H Smiths looks like it's about to fall down (plus it's dramatically overpriced). The landlords will rent out to anyone who wants their premises (which is fair). There's clearly no effort to make the place look anything but desolate. I know money has been spent on the market place and it is definitely an improvement. If people want a highstreet to succeed then they need to use it. Personally, I'm glad Bishop highstreet is dwindling. Maybe they'll take a look at why and make an effort to change. The place could easily be filled with local market style shops (butchers, fruit and veg shops) along with some half decent places to eat. As voice of reality says, they should evolve to survive. Grants to allow people to improve shop frontage. A reduction in bookies and takeaways. No more pound shops (how many does one place need?). Stop kids from hanging around on a night causing problems. Improve the bus station so it doesn't look like a blot on the landscape and finally, start actively trying to entice people back by providing a decent, quality experience.

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standardards Organisations's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a compaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here